Philately - collecting and studying of mail payment marks (stamps, envelopes, postcards and cards) and other kinds of mail documentation.

As a field of collecting it appeared in 1840-s. The term was introduced by French collector G.Ernek in 1864, it was composed of two Greek words "phileo" - love and "telos" - collection, payment.

Since 1860-s catalogs and magazines on philately have been published.

The first Russian society of philatelists was founded in 1907 in Saint-Petersburg.

At the time Union of Philatelists of Russian Federation functions (since 1992). (Since 1966, All-Union Philatelic Society).